Chapter 235
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Chapter 235: The Young Bird Takes Flight
Above the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, Xu Fan was lounging around as usual.
Xiong Li appeared on Xu Fan’s spiritual boat.
“Greetings, Grand Elder,” Xiong Li said, bowing respectfully.
“Rise. You’re the first disciple in our sect to reach the Golden Core Stage, and as the Senior Brother, you’ve earned this title,” Xu Fan praised.
“Thank you, Grand Elder,” Xiong Li replied, a bit bashfully.
“Now that you’ve reached the Golden Core Stage, it’s time for you to go out and explore the world.”
“Head to the sect’s treasury and pick up a set of Golden Core Stage treasures and 1,000 top-grade spirit stones. Go see what’s out there,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
The Hidden Spirit Sect never restricted its disciples’ freedom. If you wanted to leave, all you had to do was report it.
But most disciples preferred to stay in the sect, either cultivating or spending time in the trial tower, which Xu Fan found incredibly boring.
That’s why Xu Fan wanted to send all Golden Core disciples out into the world. He didn’t want them to reach Golden Core or even Nascent Soul and still act like sheltered homebodies who’d never experienced anything.
When you’re young, you should venture out. At the Golden Core Stage, you’re relatively safe in the cultivation world—as long as you don’t do anything reckless.
At this, Xiong Li’s face showed hesitation.
“Grand Elder, can I stay in the sect?”
“If enemies attack, I want to be able to help,” Xiong Li said firmly. His biggest goal was to become a pillar of the sect.
“I appreciate your dedication, but sending you out is about letting you see the real cultivation world, not kicking you out.”
“You’re still too early in your cultivation to contribute much to the sect as a Golden Core.”
Xu Fan waved his hand, and a Golden Core Stage puppet appeared behind him.
“Can you defeat this puppet?” Xu Fan asked.
Seeing the puppet, Xiong Li hung his head in shame. “No,” he admitted.
“The sect has over a million of these puppets. Until they’re all destroyed, a little Golden Core disciple like you won’t be needed.”
“Go out, broaden your horizons, and maybe even find a partner. When you come back, focus on your cultivation.”
“If you want to contribute to the sect, you’ll need at least Void Refinement Stage cultivation.”
“Your job right now is to cultivate. Leave the rest to the sect.”
“Experiencing the world is part of cultivation too.”
“That’s all I have to say. Pack up, grab your things from the treasury, and head out.”
“Don’t come back for at least ten years.”
“Now go. Don’t disturb my fishing,” Xu Fan said, shooing him away with a wave.
Xiong Li glanced at Xu Fan and then at the puppet, feeling a warmth in his chest as he flew toward Wanbao Peak.
At the same time, he etched Xu Fan’s words firmly into his mind.
“I *will* reach the Void Refinement Stage,” Xiong Li vowed silently.
Xiong Li arrived at the treasury on Wanbao Peak.
The puppet noticed Xiong Li approaching and quickly produced a space ring.
“This is the space ring the sect has provided for your journey. Inside, there are three manuals for disciples to read while traveling. Make sure to go through them when you have time.”
“Also, here are 1,000 top-grade spirit stones, which every disciple receives when they leave.”
“If you happen to meet someone special during your travels, you can return to the sect and apply for an additional 1,000 top-grade spirit stones.”
For some reason, Xiong Li sensed a slight flirtatious tone in the puppet’s voice.
“Puppet, are you acting strange?” Xiong Li asked.
“……….” Can we just have a normal conversation?
“Go ahead and pick out the precious artifacts you can use, but remember, they can’t exceed the third-tier precious artifact level.”
“This set of puppets is essentially a gift from the sect. You won’t be earning any contribution points for the next ten years,” the puppet said, sounding a bit deflated.
“Got it,” Xiong Li nodded. A single third-tier precious artifact from the treasure vault could easily outweigh his contribution points for a decade.
Xiong Li entered the treasure vault and soon emerged.
He had chosen a set of medium spiritual energy armor, a vehicle-type artifact cloud car, and a set of five-element guardian bracelets.
“Why didn’t you take more?” the puppet asked.
“This is enough. Taking more would just be greedy.”
With that, Xiong Li left Wanbao Peak.
At the entrance of the Hidden Spirit Sect, a group of first-generation disciples gathered to see off their Senior Brother.
“Safe travels, Senior Brother~~” Qian Bing called out.
‘Bang~~’ Before Qian Bing could finish his teasing, Xiong Li sent him flying a thousand miles away with a single punch.
“Take care,” Xiong Li said lightly.
“Senior Brother, I’ve prepared some pills for you—they can help with healing, cultivation, and restoring spiritual energy. Take them with you on your journey,” said a disciple who specialized in pill-making.
“Senior Brother, here are some handy little magical tools. They’ll be useful for you to carry around.”
“Senior Brother, this is a treasure-hunting mouse at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Take it with you; it’s bound to help you find something valuable on your journey,” Lei Wenxi said.
Just then, Qian Bing, who had been sent flying, returned.
“Senior Brother, here are two service puppets; they’ll help you with chores along the way,” Qian Bing offered.
Xiong Li ended up receiving a lot of gifts.
Looking at his younger disciples, Xiong Li felt as though they were his family.
“Alright, everyone, that’s enough. I can’t carry all this,” Xiong Li said with a smile.
“The sect requires that once you reach the Golden Core Stage, you must go out and gain experience for ten years. While I’m out there, I hope to run into all of you.”
“See you again in the cultivation world,” Xiong Li said, bidding farewell to everyone as he flew off toward Lin Sen Fairy City.
Xu Fan, still fishing on his spiritual boat, watched Xiong Li’s departing light and smiled. “The young bird takes flight; upon its return, it will be an eagle.”
“I hope the tasks I’ve arranged for you will lead to a rewarding experience.”
Inside Lin Sen Fairy City, Xiong Li opened the manual that outlined the itinerary all sect members were required to follow.
“Let the young bird spread its wings and fly. First stop, Joyful Union Fairy City, to experience the full-service at Yuxian Pavilion,” Xiong Li said with a peculiar expression.
“Why would the sect send me to such a place?” Though Xiong Li rarely ventured out, he knew exactly what kind of place it was.
Despite his confusion, Xiong Li had no choice but to follow the sect’s arranged itinerary.
At the teleportation formation center in Lin Sen Fairy City, Xiong Li arrived at the central continent area.
“Where are you heading?” asked the teleportation formation manager.
“Joyful Union Fairy City,” Xiong Li replied.
“Got it.”
Xiong Li’s answer earned him a knowing glance from the manager—one of those looks that every man understands.
“That’ll be 300,000 spirit stones,” the manager said.
Xiong Li handed over 30 top-grade spirit stones.
“Hope you have a good time.”
The manager smiled as he activated the teleportation formation.
‘Weng~~’
The world twisted around him, and Xiong Li felt a wave of dizziness. Though he had used teleportation formations before, the disorienting sensation never seemed to fade.
The dizziness passed quickly.
As soon as Xiong Li stepped out of the formation, a delicate hand wrapped around his arm.
“Strong taoist friend, where are you off to?”
The overly sweet tone made Xiong Li uncomfortable.
Why can’t she just speak normally?
Xiong Li frowned and asked, “How do I get to Yuxian Pavilion?”
“Oh, you’re heading to Yuxian Pavilion? Perfect! We’re going there too. I’ll take you,” she said, her eyes scanning him from head to toe.
“Let’s go,” Xiong Li muttered, already sensing what kind of place Yuxian Pavilion was.
“Follow me,” the charming woman said with a smile, linking her arm with his.
“You lead the way. And I’m not used to being touched,” Xiong Li said, his brow furrowed.
“Understood,” the alluring girl replied sweetly.
She had seen plenty of seemingly upright men with less-than-pure intentions. She knew that once they reached Yuxian Pavilion, their true colors would show, and she smirked inwardly at the thought.
Xiong Li followed the girl to a lavish establishment, where countless stunning women were enticing customers outside.
The closer they got to the shop, the more nervous Xiong Li became. He couldn’t shake the feeling that a great trial awaited him.
The women at the entrance of Yuxian Pavilion spotted Xiong Li from afar.
“Ling Ling found a body refinement cultivator! He probably can’t handle it alone. Anyone interested?” one of the women at the door called out.
At that moment, the woman still wanted to speak when three graceful figures swept past her.
Before Xiong Li could enter the shop, he was intercepted by three women dressed in colorful robes.
Without giving Xiong Li a chance to speak, the three women dragged him into Yuxian Pavilion.
Meanwhile, above the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, Xu Fan was watching the live broadcast.
“I wonder if Xiong Li can handle this,” Xu Fan said with a chuckle.
“Master, with all due respect, is it really appropriate to send your disciple out for training like this?” Li Xuandao asked.
“It’s just a massage—he’s just getting a taste of the world. It’s not as serious as you’re making it out to be,” Xu Fan replied with a smile.
“What brings you here today?” Xu Fan asked, looking at Li Xuandao.
At this point, Li Xuandao had reached the peak of the Golden Core Stage, just one step away from breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage.
“I’ve been cultivating for a while, so I thought I’d take a break.”
“I must thank you, Master. Without the excellent cultivation environment you’ve provided, I wouldn’t have progressed this quickly,” Li Xuandao said gratefully.
“It was nothing. Besides, I improved the cultivation environment for the entire sect, not just for you,” Xu Fan replied casually.
Though they referred to each other as master and disciple, their relationship was more transactional than anything else.
“Still, I want to thank you, Master,” Li Xuandao said sincerely.
“Your cultivation speed is truly remarkable. In just a few years, you’ve already reached the peak of the Golden Core Stage.”
“At this rate, you might ascend to the Thousand Worlds in just a thousand years,” Xu Fan said, a hint of envy in his voice. If the system hadn’t restricted his cultivation, he might have already reached the Transformation Stage by now.
“It’s not as fast as you think, Master. Before I ascend to the Immortal Realm, I need to solidify the foundation of this body. Otherwise, I might remain a Quasi-Immortal in the Immortal Realm for the rest of my life,” Li Xuandao sighed.
“Two thousand years? That’s still quite fast,” Xu Fan said, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of only being a Transformation Stage cultivator in two thousand years.
“This is the limit of my cultivation speed in this life. There’s nothing I can do about it,” Li Xuandao said regretfully. After so many reincarnations, even though this life was relatively easier, his talent was only average compared to his previous lives.
“I see.”
“Since you’re here to relax, why not take a walk in the fairy city?”
“Grape must have already told you. You have a limit of 100,000 top-grade spirit stones in the treasury,” Xu Fan said.
“Thank you, Master. I know. Just getting some fresh air and enjoying the scenery of the sect is enough for me.”
“I saw you fishing alone on the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake and thought I’d come chat with you,” Li Xuandao said with a smile.
He was here to relax, but he also wanted to improve his standing with his master.
After all, currying favor with a powerful figure requires skill.
Hearing this, Xu Fan slowly put away his fishing rod.
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a tea table and tea set, then began boiling water.
“This tea is from our sect’s own tea trees. Give it a try,” Xu Fan said as he prepared the tea.
“Thank you, Master.”
After they both sipped their tea, Xu Fan looked at Li Xuandao and said, “If you don’t have any questions, let’s talk about the Thousand Worlds.”
“Of course, Master. Whatever you want to know, I’ll answer truthfully,” Li Xuandao said with a smile.
“What’s the status of artifact masters in the Thousand Worlds?” Xu Fan asked curiously.
“Master craftsmen who can forge high-level Taoist tools have a status slightly higher than Quasi-Immortals, roughly equivalent to true immortals.”
“As for those great masters who can craft celestial tools, their status is at least on par with Golden Immortals,” Li Xuandao explained.
“Are artifact great masters really that highly regarded in the Immortal Realm?” Xu Fan asked, surprised. This wasn’t what he had expected.
“So you’re saying that when the head of the Heavenly Refining Sect ascends to the Thousand Worlds, their status will be equivalent to a Golden Immortal?”
“Exactly. In the Immortal Realm, Taoist tools are still quite valuable, and celestial tools are considered rare treasures by Quasi-Immortals and true immortals.”
“Master, do you know why the Heavenly Dao guides artifact great masters and alchemy grandmasters to ascend to the Thousand Worlds?” Li Xuandao asked mysteriously.
“Yes, I’ve been curious about that,” Xu Fan replied.
“It’s because sects or major forces in the Thousand Worlds have made deals. Whenever the Heavenly Dao guides an artifact great master, it receives significant benefits.”
“After all, the Heavenly Dao also needs to advance,” Li Xuandao explained.
“Ah, I see. So if I were to craft a celestial tool, could I ascend to the Immortal Realm?” Xu Fan asked, already thinking about whether he could follow his disciples to the Immortal Realm when they ascended.
“Master, if you don’t want to serve those sects or major forces, it’s best not to do that,” Li Xuandao said, having anticipated Xu Fan’s question.
“Why not?”
“The Heavenly Dao only guides; it doesn’t open the passage between the two realms. To reach the Thousand Worlds, someone from the Immortal Realm must come to escort the artifact great master.”
“Once that happens, the artifact great master’s fate will be controlled by those sects and major forces.”
“Of course, they’ll be treated with some basic respect, but it means losing thousands of years of freedom,” Li Xuandao said, having witnessed such a scenario before when a third-life cultivator reached true immortality and went to the middle thousand world to meet an artifact great master.
“I figured as much. There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Xu Fan sighed.
“It’s good that you think that way, Master. With your extraordinary talent, ascending to the Thousand Worlds should be a simple matter for you,” Li Xuandao said, subtly flattering him.
Hearing this, Xu Fan’s gaze toward Li Xuandao softened.
